Iron Maiden Sued for $2.6 Million by Former Vocalist Dennis Wilcock

Iron Maiden are reportedly being sued by early vocalist Dennis Wilcock, who claims Maiden stole his lyrics for various tracks on the group’s self-titled debut and Killers. Wilcock is attempting to get more than £2 million (roughly $2.6 million) from the metal icons in court.

This case is reminiscent of Maiden’s recent “Hallowed Be Thy Name” suit, where former band manager Barry McKay claimed the Maiden lifted parts of British prog band Beckett’s 1974 track “Life’s Shadow” on not just “Hallowed Be Thy Name,” but on the Brave New World cut “The Nomad.” Iron Maiden’s Steve Harris and Dave Murraysettled the suit for £100,000 according to a band rep.

McKay has now filed another lawsuit against Iron Maiden on behalf of Wilcock. Loudwire has acquired the court papers for the suit, which claim Wilcock wrote the lyrics to “Prowler,” “Charlotte the Harlot,” “Phantom of the Opera” and “Iron Maiden.” The documents also claim Wilcock co-wrote the lyrics for “Prodigal Son” with Steve Harris.

Wilcock claims he didn’t know his lyrics had been used for Iron Maiden’s early works because he never listened to Maiden’s albums after leaving the group in 1978.

Additionally, McKay is going after “Hallowed Be Thy Name” a second time, claiming the “Hallowed” line, “Catch my soul cos it’s willing to fly away,” was based off the line, “Catch your soul he’s willing to fly away,” from the Beckett track “Rainbow’s Gold.” Iron Maiden notably covered “Rainbow’s Gold” on their 1984 album, Powerslave.

Iron Maiden dropped “Hallowed Be Thy Name” from their Book of Souls tour setlist during the initial suit, having brought the Number of the Beast closer back for their ongoing Legacy of the Beast tour. “Iron Maiden” is still being performed live in Maiden’s current setlist, even though this new lawsuit from McKay was filed on May 25 of this year.

British news source The Sun claim to have received a comment from an Iron Maiden spokesperson, who calls the suit “outrageous” and “absolutely ridiculous.” Stay tuned as this story continues to develop.